Pakistan’s national carrier gave away 200 ‘free’ Economy return tickets and a ‘gift’ of 20 Business class tickets to a Pakistani entertainment channel for its Dubai award show, said a media report.

According to a report appeared in Dawn newspaper, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) doled out ‘free’ Economy and Business class Dubai and London tickets to an entertainment channel and fashion designers.

The daily said that the free return tickets cost the national carrier millions of rupees which is already running into huge losses. PIA has reportedly accumulated losses of Rs150 billion (Dh5.42 billion).

PIA spokesman Aamir Memon confirmed in a statement to the newspaper that the national airline had issued tickets to the Pakistani channel for its Dubai award show and for fashion designers flying down from London for PIA Runway Fashion Show which was held last month in Karachi.

Pakistani entertainment channel Hum TV held the third edition of its annual awards at the Dubai World Trade Centre earlier this month which saw a huge number of television celebrities attending the gala award show.

The airline, according to Memon, didn’t spend any money on the two shows to promote the airline and instead tickets were issued as part of the sponsorship deals.

PIA Chairman Lt Gen (R) Asif Yasin Malik last week said airline will replace some of its fleet and will open new destinations by expanding its network.

The carrier earlier this month announced acquisition of five French-built ATR-72 aircraft, each with a capacity of 66 seats, on dry lease for a period of eight years.